teasel, teasle or Teazel

Fuller's teasel was used in the textile industry prior to the Industrial Revolution. It was a simple tool used to raise the nap of newly woven fabrics, particularly woolens. Combing over the fabric to raise the nap with a metal comb could tear the cloth, teasels would break rather than ruining the weaver's work.  These volunteers showed up in one of my flower beds, I left them to grow, my daughter the Textile Artist is intrigued by such things. They arranged themselves artistically for a portrait, you can see why floral designers find them appealing in a fall arrangement.